The Bolstering the Somerset Bittern Population and Rare Vascular Plants of the Mendips projects will support some of Somerset’s most vulnerable wildlife, helping to protect the habitats and species that make the county special. 
 
The £60 million Species Recovery Programme, delivered by Natural England as part of the government’s Wild Again: Restoring England’s Wildlife initiative, will fund 130 projects across England, supporting action for 364 threatened species. 
 
The programme will help conservation organisations, landowners and partners deliver targeted work to restore habitats and support species recovery across woodlands, farmland, freshwater and marine environments. 
 
Somerset Wildlife Trust’s Bolstering the Somerset Bittern Population project will focus on improving the conservation status of bitterns on the Somerset Levels, an important area for this wetland bird.  
 
The project will help build understanding of current bittern populations, breeding sites and habitat conditions, while supporting improvements to reedbeds and wetland habitats. Working with delivery partners including local Natural England and RSPB teams, as well as landowners and volunteers, the project aims to create better conditions for bitterns to thrive across the Levels. 
 
The Rare Vascular Plants of the Mendips project will help protect two special Somerset plant species: Cheddar Pink, the county flower of Somerset, and Autumn lady’s-tresses. 
 
Working with partners including the National Trust and local landowners, the project will improve understanding of these species, investigate the impacts of climate change, and support habitat management to help these rare plants survive and flourish. 
 
Georgia Dent, CEO at Somerset Wildlife Trust, said: “We know that protecting and recovering threatened species takes long-term commitment, good science and strong partnerships. This funding will allow us to take practical action to support some of Somerset’s rarest wildlife and the habitats they depend on. 
 
“Through our Bolstering the Somerset Bittern Population project on the Somerset Levels & Moors and our Rare Vascular Plants of the Mendips project, we’ll be working with partners, landowners and local communities to better understand these species and improve the conditions they need to survive and thrive. 
 
“We’re really pleased to be part of this programme and look forward to working with others to help secure the future of these important species for Somerset.” 
 
Natural England Chair Tony Juniper said: "For decades Natural England's vital species recovery work has revealed how even the rarest of the rare can be brought back from the brink. The red kite, lady's slipper orchid, pool frog, beaver and large blue butterfly are among examples that demonstrate the many opportunities at hand and what can be achieved for nature and wider society. 

“We know that good science and effective partnerships can help restore species to favourable status, and this funding will enable us to support many initiatives to help halt and reverse the decline of our wonderful wildlife." 
 
Over the past three decades, the programme has helped protect over 1,000 species and prevented the national extinction of at least 35 species. 
 
This announcement builds on the government's commitment to reverse this decline and meet legal targets set out in the Environmental Improvement Plan, committing to halt the decline in species abundance by 2030 and reduce species extinction risk by 2042 against 2022 levels. 
 
The Species Recovery Programme is funded by the government and delivered by Natural England.